If you’re looking for the best things to do in Mahé Seychelles, this travel guide will show you everything you need to know including tips on how to get around, the best time to visit, and the best place to stay on a budget.
For most, Seychelles may conjure up thoughts of remote islands surrounded by turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and massive boulders. But it doesn’t end there!
Located off the east coast of Africa, Seychelles is made up of three main islands; Mahé, La Digue, and Praslin and other smaller islands, some of which are uninhabited. When visiting Seychelles, most people choose Mahé as their base since it’s the cheapest and most accessible.
Right in the middle of the island of Mahé, you’ll find a beautiful colonial city, a lush forest, and mountains packed with a great selection of activities.
If you’re planning a visit soon, this guide will show you 13 best things to do in Mahé Seychelles on a budget.
Read more about Seychelles:
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BEST THINGS TO DO IN MAHE SEYCHELLES
Three days in Mahé, Seychelles is the right amount of time to experience what this tiny island has to offer. From stunning beaches to scenic hikes, discover 13 best things to do in Mahé Seychelles on a budget for the perfect tropical vacation!
Recommended tours in Mahé Seychelles:
- Customizable private tour of Mahé with driver
- St Anne Marine National Park & Moyenne Island tour
- Praslin and La Digue Islands day trip (with lunch and transfers)
- Wild south tour of Mahé including lunch
- Semi-submarine tour of St Anne Marine Park
EXPLORE SEYCHELLES BEACHES
One of the main reasons people plan their trip to Seychelles is to enjoy the pristine white-sand beaches! The beaches in Seychelles are among the most picturesque with powdery white sand and amazing rock formations!
Most of Seychelles beaches are accessible by bus, except for some which require a bit of a hike! Here are a few of the most beautiful beaches in Mahé Seychelles:
ANSE NORD D’EST
Anse Nord D’Est is quite off the beaten path and doesn’t attract too many tourists. The bus station is located right on the beach, making it easily accessible. Not only is the sand extremely soft, but the massive boulders on the left side of the beach look amazing in pictures!
ANSE MAJOR
You could “cheat” by taking a boat to Anse Major, but the best way to get there is by hiking along the trail that offers breathtaking views over the west coast of Mahé. Along the way, you will find several viewpoints until you reach this secluded beach.
ANSE INTENDANCE
Anse Intendance is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in Mahé! The large stretch of white sand beach is not usually crowded and thus you can have it all to yourself.
Related post: Best Beaches in Seychelles
GO ON A HIKE
Another highly recommended thing to do in Mahé on a budget is to go on a hike. Most of the hiking trails are located along the Morne Seychellois National Park but there are others along the coast as well.
Some of them are easy and others more challenging, but scenic nonetheless. Below are the two hikes that I did during my trip to Mahé:
ANSE MAJOR TRAIL
By far one of the most beautiful hikes in Mahé Seychelles, Anse Major Trail circles around the incredible coastline for about 2.5 km to finally end at a secluded beach!
There isn’t much parking space, so you’ll have to leave your car along the side of the road or come by bus. From Beau Vallon Police station, take the “Bel Ombre” bus and ask to be dropped off at the final bus stop.
The trailhead is found about one kilometer away and goes mostly uphill, but worth the sweat! Once you reach the main trail, stare in awe at the breathtaking views over the ocean on one side and mountains on the opposite.
An early start is advisable since a big chunk of the trail lies directly under the sun. If you’re tired after the hike you can arrange a taxi boat back to Bel Ombre (contact number: +248 254 04 54).
COPOLIA TRAIL
Hiking to Copolia is a another must-do in Mahé Seychelles! The hike is not too strenuous and takes about 45 minutes on the way up and 30 minutes down. The trail runs through the forest which provides enough shade, but it’s still recommended to start early to avoid the heat.
You’ll need good hiking shoes as some parts are steep and uneven. Along the trail, you’ll discover different plant species and even spot the carnivorous Pitcher plants!
As you almost reach the end of the trail, you’ll come across two small wooden bridges. This part is a little confusing since you may think that the trail leads straight ahead.
Instead, take the path on the left, just a few meters after the last bridge until you see a ladder leading to the top.
You’ll finally be greeted by a panoramic view of the city of Victoria and Eden Island! It can be very windy here, so avoid getting too close to the edge.
LOOK OUT FOR STREET ART IN VICTORIA
The street art scene is very prominent in Mahé, especially in the capital city of Victoria. Painted by several Seychellois artists and the South African, Wesley Pepper, the murals depict the African heritage of Seychelles while bringing out a message about environmental conservation.
You’ll find most of the street art around the Victoria bus terminal and along Independence Avenue.
FEAST ON STREET FOOD AT THE BEAU VALLON NIGHT MARKET
When I travel to a new country, I do my best to eat as much local food as I can. Luckily, street food in Mahé isn’t too expensive.
Street food stalls are found mostly around Beau Vallon Beach where you can taste traditional dishes such as grilled fish with rice, curries, and more. Banana and breadfruit chips are some popular snacks that you should try as well!
The street food stalls in Beau Vallon are open every night from 6 p.m.
VICTORIA CLOCKTOWER
The Victoria Clocktower is one of the most famous landmarks and things to see in Mahé, Seychelles. Erected in memory of Queen Victoria, it’s a smaller version of Big Ben and serves as a roundabout on the busy streets of Victoria.
VICTORIA MARKET
Another top thing to do in Mahé is to visit the Victoria Market (Sir Selwyn Clarke Market). It’s a small but colorful market where you can buy fresh produce, fish, spices, and souvenirs. There’s also a restaurant upstairs but prices are steep, even by Seychelles standards!
The Victoria Market is open every day except on Sundays and is particularly busy on Saturdays.
BICENTENNIAL MONUMENT
As you make your way down Independence Avenue, you will come across the Bicentennial monument which was erected to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the city of Victoria. The monument consists of three wings which represent the perfect blend of different ethnicities in Seychelles.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHEDRAL
The Immaculate Conception Cathedral is the biggest church in Seychelles and is found a few meters from the Victoria Market. Constructed in the late 1800s, the Cathedral boasts an impressive yet simple architecture with beautiful stained-glass windows.
Besides the Cathedral, is the Priest house, La Domus. The bell tower is located behind but seems to be closed off to the public at the time of my visit.
ARUL MIHU NAVASAKTHI VINAYAGAR TEMPLE
Named after the Hindu God of safety and prosperity, the Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar temple is the only Hindu temple in Mahé.
The temple is easily noticeable by the colorful sculptures of Hindu deities all over the façade. Entrance to the temple is free and you need to take off your shoes before getting in.
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
If you want to learn about the history of Seychelles and see several exhibits, including ships models and firearms, then you should pay a visit to the National History Museum. The museum has been recently renovated and entrance costs SCR 150 (US$ 11).
TAKE A STROLL AROUND VICTORIA HARBOR
If you plan on visiting other islands in Seychelles such as La Digue or Praslin, you’ll most probably depart from the Victoria Harbor.
But, if you’re only staying in Mahé, you can still have a nice stroll around the harbor and spot the windmills in the distance.
BOTANICAL GARDEN
A visit to the Botanical Garden will allow you to experience the diverse fauna and flora of Seychelles. The garden is home to several plant species, with a whole alley lined with the Coco de Mer trees. You’ll also come across exotic and endemic birds and giant tortoises.
The Seychelles Botanical Garden is open every day from 7.30 a.m to 5 p.m and costs SCR 100 (US$ 7.35).
WATCH A MAGICAL SUNSET
If there’s one thing you can’t miss in Mahé Seychelles, it’s the sunset! Even though the weather was cloudy every evening of my trip, I was lucky enough to witness these golden hues reflecting against the sky.
BEST TIME TO VISIT MAHE
There isn’t really a wrong or right time to visit Mahé. Since the island is located near the equator, it feels like summer all year round with temperatures rarely going below 21 degrees Celsius.
May to September is usually considered the dry season. It may rain a few times during the day but luckily not for long.
During the first half of the year, the northern part of the island faces strong winds, making the ocean quite rough. Whereas, the south of the island experiences better weather conditions during that time. On the other hand, during the last half of the year, weather conditions are better in the north of Seychelles.
WHERE TO STAY IN MAHE?
Seychelles can be an expensive destination but that doesn’t mean you can’t visit if you’re on a budget. There is a wide range of affordable guesthouses available on booking.com offering self-catering options which can help you save money.
I chose Lemongrass Lodge in Beau Vallon which is found just a few meters from the beach and had an amazing view of the ocean!
There are different types of rooms available at Lemongrass Lodge for every budget. I stayed in the Zanbrosa Apartment for about US$ 83 per night.
The room is clean and spacious and has a fully equipped kitchen, two double beds, and free Wi-Fi. The only downside is that it’s located uphill and getting there can be a bit strenuous. But that’s pretty much the standard in Mahé and it was the cheapest option I found near Beau Vallon Beach.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN MAHE SEYCHELLES
HOW TO GET AROUND MAHE?
CAR RENTAL
The easiest way to get around is by renting a car. Car rentals in Seychelles cost about US$ 40 per day. Driving in Seychelles, especially Mahé can be slightly challenging since some roads are narrow and steep but you should be fine as long as you’re careful and drive slowly.
PRIVATE TAXI
If you don’t have your own rental car, I recommend hiring a private driver and customizing your own private tour of the island.
Tip: If you need a private airport transfer, you can book one here for about US$ 40.
BUS
The cheapest option for getting around Mahé is by taking the bus. It costs SCR 7 (US$ 0.50) per trip but it’s also the most time-consuming. Some buses depart every hour and are not always on time. But buses in Mahé will get you to almost every corner of the island.
I hope that this guide to the best things to do Mahé Seychelles has inspired you to plan your next vacation in this tropical paradise! As always, let me know in the comments below if you have any questions.
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2 comments
I’m speechless at how gorgeous Seychelles is! Your post has captured the essence of this tropical paradise so well. The views are breathtaking and the water is crystal clear. I also appreciate the practical information you provided on how to get around, where to stay and what to eat. You have made me want to book a flight to Seychelles right now!
Thank you so much, Supraja! I’m glad you found the blog post helpful :)